Stories of Health & Hope
Behind every statistic is a woman, a family, and a story of resilience.
Lizata’s Story: A 360 Kilometer Journey to Healing For two years, Lizata lived without answers. Lizata developed obstetric fistula after a difficult labor and emergency cesarean birth in Côte d’Ivoire. Her baby did not survive. Soon… After two days of obstructed labor, Betty Nalule survived an emergency cesarean birth and welcomed her daughter, Favour. But she left the hospital with obstetric fistula and no information about treatment. Her sister eventually connected her… After a ruptured uterus, the loss of her baby, and obstetric fistula changed the course of her life, Irene found treatment and support through TERREWODE. Years later, she returned not as a patient, but as a… After enduring severe delays during labor that resulted in the loss of her baby and an obstetric fistula, Aisha was abandoned by her husband. She eventually received successful surgery and care at Terrewode Women’s Community Hospital,… In conflict affected Burkina Faso, closed health facilities forced 35 year old Maimouna into a dangerous home birth, resulting in the tragic loss of her twins and a devastating, untreated bladder injury. After two years of… Maria spent days trying to reach emergency obstetric care, only to arrive after her baby had died. After developing obstetric fistula, she was shunned by her community until a fistula survivor found her, sat beside her,… For nearly a decade, Faisy lived with the effects of a severe perineal tear sustained during the birth of her first child. In 2025, a chance encounter with TERREWODE at a National Women’s Day celebration changed… After a prolonged labor, a ruptured uterus, and the loss of her baby, Agnes developed obstetric fistula and lost movement in one leg. At TERREWODE Women’s Community Hospital, treatment became the beginning of something larger: recovery,… After complications following the birth of her seventh child, Achilla was referred from Kotido to TERREWODE Women’s Community Hospital for specialized care. At 19, Epiphanie lost her first baby after two days of labor and developed obstetric fistula. Unable to afford surgery, she spent months living with constant leakage and isolation. Then a fellow survivor told her about… After living with obstetric fistula for 12 years, Sarah Omega found treatment and founded LEFI. Today, her organization helps women across Kenya reach care, rebuild their lives, and become advocates themselves. Mwajuma developed obstetric fistula as a teenager and lived with the injury for eight years. After successful surgery through Let’s End Fistula Initiative, she returned to school, became a mother, and trained as a Safe Motherhood… Zuena is a student and youth leader in Bungoma County, Kenya, using education and advocacy to help prevent obstetric fistula before it happens. Through the Young Champions Fistula Club, she encourages girls to stay in school,… After a prolonged labor and the loss of her baby, Basalirwa developed two different fistulas. Following two successful surgeries and reintegration support through TERREWODE, she turned entrepreneurial training into a tomato business and began rebuilding financial… Eunice lived with obstetric fistula for three years, isolated from her community and unsure she would ever recover. After connecting with Let’s End Fistula Initiative and a survivor led Solidarity Group, she found treatment, rebuilt her… Doris lived with obstetric fistula for 20 years before receiving treatment through LEFI. Afterward, a solidarity group and micro-loan helped her build a business, purchase land, and create lasting financial independence. Awa lived with obstetric fistula for five years after a traumatic childbirth and the loss of her baby. Two surgeries failed to repair the injury. Then she found ARENA Medical Center, where successful treatment and vocational… Tsahara was married at 16, became pregnant at 17, and endured three days of labor before losing her baby and developing obstetric fistula. She lived with the injury for three years before reaching Danja Fistula Center,… After losing her fifth baby during an obstructed labor, Nathalie developed obstetric fistula and learned she needed surgery she could not afford. Her husband left, and she spent months searching for work and treatment until a… Habibou lived with obstetric fistula for five months after a difficult childbirth and the loss of her baby. Successful surgery at ARENA Medical Center changed her life, but her story didn’t end there. She returned with… Florence walked eight miles round trip for antenatal care during her eighth pregnancy, but when labor became dangerous, reaching emergency treatment required even more. After losing her baby and developing obstetric fistula, she found specialized care…
After Two Years With Fistula, Lizata Found Healing at ARENA
Betty’s Story: A New Life After Obstetric Fistula
From loss to survival to dream job
Overcoming Obstetric Fistula and Rebuilding Her Life
Maimouna’s Journey from Obstetric Injury to Healing
After Loss, Isolation, and Fistula, Maria Found Her Way Back to Care
After 10 Years of Living With a Childbirth Injury, Faisy Found Hope
Agnes’s Journey of Healing
Achilla’s Journey to Care
171 Miles to Healing: Epiphanie’s Journey to a New Beginning
From 12 Years With Fistula to Founding a Movement
From Fistula Survivor to Safe Motherhood Advocate
Leading Before Fistula Happens
After Two Fistulas, Basalirwa Built a Business and Began Again
From Isolation to Independence
After 20 Years With Fistula, Doris Rebuilt Her Life and Livelihood
Five Years of Fistula, Then a New Life
Three Surgeries Later, Tsahara Is Building a Future Beyond Fistula
One Referral Changed Everything
From Fistula Survivor to Advocate
Florence’s Journey Through Fistula and Recovery
